On July 20, the Georgia Department of Education released results for the spring 2017 Georgia Milestones, which includes End of Grade (EOG) assessments in 3rd through 8th grades and End of Course (EOC) assessments in grades nine through 12. Douglas County School System (DCSS) achieved gains from the spring 2016 results in multiple areas:

·3rd, 4th, and 6th grade English Language Arts

·4th grade Mathematics

·8th grade Science

·High School 9th grade Literature

·High School American Literature

·High School Biology

·High School Physical Science

·High School US History

For 2016-2017, DCSS ranks higher than the state with the percent of students scoring in the proficient and distinguished levels in the following areas:

·8th grade Science

·High School US History

·High School Economics

For 2016-2017, the following areas are higher than the state with the percent of developing, proficient learners and distinguished learners:

·4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade English Language Arts

·5th grade Science

·5th and 8th grade Social Studies

·High School 9th grade Literature

·High School US History

·High School Economics

“We are celebrating the release of the Georgia Milestones scores,” expressed Mr. Trent North, Superintendent of Douglas County Schools. “I am honored to join an outstanding school system and it is my commitment to support our teachers and leaders so that each student will experience success in Douglas County. While we have gains in some areas, we must move together to address deficiencies.”

These scores are from the third administration of the state of Georgia’s assessment system called Georgia Milestones (GMAS). There are four levels of performance with this assessment system:

·Beginning Learners do not yet demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students need substantial academic support to be prepared for the next grade level or course and to be on track for college and career readiness.

·Developing Learners demonstrate partial proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified by Georgia’s content standards. The students need additional academic support to ensure success in the next grade level or course and to be on track for college and career readiness.

·Proficient Learners demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students are prepared for the next grade level or course and are on track for college and career readiness.

·Distinguished Learners demonstrate advanced proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level/course of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students are well prepared for the next grade level or course and are well prepared for college and career readiness.

This assessment system provides important information about the student’s ability related to skills which are important for career readiness or post-secondary options including writing, reading, and mathematics. For the 2016-2017 school year, the Georgia Department of Education reduced the number of tests taken by students in the areas of science and social studies.

“We are continuing to make progress in Douglas County,” stated Mrs. Pam Nail, Chief Academic Officer. “Our students and teachers worked tirelessly last school year and we will continue to focus on our students’ learning as we begin the 2017-2018 school year.”

Detailed Individual Student Reports for EOG and EOC will be sent to parents by August 18. More information about GMAS and scores for all school systems and schools in Georgia can be accessed here.